File photo of Kiran Navgire, a prominent player for UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League. (PTI)
Kiran Navgire, representing Maharashtra, has etched her name in women’s T20 cricket history with an astonishing feat: the fastest century ever recorded. During a Women’s T20 Trophy match against Punjab in Nagpur on Friday, Navgire blasted her way to a hundred in a mere 34 balls. Her explosive, unbeaten knock of 106 runs from just 35 deliveries powered her team to a decisive victory with a remarkable eight overs to spare.
This incredible display of power-hitting saw Navgire shatter the previous record held by New Zealand’s Sophie Devine, who had achieved a 36-ball century in January 2021. What makes Navgire’s innings even more extraordinary is her astonishing strike rate of 302.86 – the only instance of a women’s T20 century ever scored at a rate exceeding 300.
As a formidable opener, Navgire single-handedly dominated the chase. She forged an unbroken 103-run second-wicket partnership, yet her partner, Mukta Magre, contributed a modest six runs, highlighting Navgire’s singular brilliance. Her magnificent innings was studded with 14 boundaries and seven towering sixes.
Beyond her individual brilliance, Maharashtra’s successful pursuit of 113/1 in just eight overs also set a new record: the lowest team total in women’s T20 history to feature an individual century. This impressive team achievement surpassed the prior record of 123 runs, which included an unbeaten 106 by Annerie Dercksen in a CSA T20 match.
Hailing from Mire in Maharashtra’s Solapur district, Navgire first captured attention during the 2022 Women’s T20 Trophy while playing for Nagaland. In that tournament, she showcased her exceptional talent by smashing 35 sixes and becoming the first Indian woman to score over 150 runs in a T20 match, with a remarkable 162 against Arunachal Pradesh.
Her stellar performances earned her an India T20I debut against England in Chester-le-Street in 2022. However, her national team appearances have been limited since the Women’s Asia Cup later that year. Across six T20I matches, she has batted four times, accumulating 17 runs from 19 balls, including one not-out innings.
Navgire openly cites cricket legend MS Dhoni as her inspiration. She credits her formidable power-hitting prowess to her upbringing, which involved working on her family’s farm and actively participating in various sports during her childhood.
In the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Navgire has proven to be a vital asset for UP Warriorz. She has amassed a total of 419 runs across 24 innings, maintaining an impressive strike rate of 140.13, despite her average remaining below 18.